Family Picks: Durham’s Barktoberfest is for kids and their dogs

This weekend, let your kids try their hand at gardening before modern tools and techniques, or take them to hear the songs of student musicians in Durham. Also, the Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill encourages flights of imaginative fancy, while Durham’s well-named Barktoberfest is an event for kids and their dogs.

▪ Experience old-timey farm life Saturday at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Try out chores like churning butter, then plant seeds and take home sweet potato recipes. Kids can also go on a garden scavenger hunt at this History of the Harvest event, which lasts from 1 to 3 p.m. A related “Make It, Take It” event to make mini greenhouses overlaps with History of the Harvest. Visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.

▪ Discover magic in the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Children are encouraged to dress as a magical plant or animal for an afternoon of games, crafts, fairy or gnome house building and scavenger hunts. This lasts from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and costs $10 (with no fee for accompanying adult). Register at tinyurl.com/jovq4d6.

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▪ Experience Muttallica (an animal show featuring rescued and adopted dogs, plus a miniature horse named Darlin Dixie), a canine costume parade and a host of other dog-oriented activities at Barktoberfest at Durham’s Rock Quarry Park on Sunday. Participation is free and encouraged in many of its activities, including an off-leash fun zone. For more information on this noon to 4 p.m. fest, visit durhamnc.gov/2698/Barktoberfest.